Guide to Sochi 2014

BOBSLEIGH - GUIDE TO THE 2014 SOCHI WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

INTRODUCTION
Bobsleigh is a unique sport that combines athletic ability with the skills of a racing driver to steer the bobsleigh at speeds approaching 100 mph. Steering is achieved by D-shaped rings attached to bungee cords that turn the front pair of runners. The rear runners are fixed. Speed is gained from a push start with the crew running on ice (wearing special ice spike shoes) before they load into the bobsleigh. The speed gained from the start and from the slope of the track can be lost through a number of factors, most notably driving error, with the race being decided on the total time over either two, or four descents (laufs).

GOVERNING BODY
The Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et Tobogganing (FIBT) was founded in 1923 and is the international governing body for the sport of bobsleigh. All international competitions are run by FIBT officials in accordance with FIBT rules. Each nation has its own National Governing Body (NGB) and in Great Britain (GB) the NGB is the British Bobsleigh Association, which was founded in 1927.

BOBSLEIGHS
The design of bobsleighs in strictly specified by FIBT rules, which dictate a minimum weight empty and a maximum weight with crew, as the heavier the bobsleigh, the faster it will be. The minimum mass of a 2-Man bobsleigh is 170 kg empty (over 27 stone) and with crew, the maximum mass is 340 kg for the women and 390 kg for the men. For 4-Man bobsleigh, the minimum mass empty is 210 kg, and the maximum mass with crew is 630 kg (over half a ton).
Bobsleighs are articulated forward of the driver's seat, so the front can within limits rotate in relation to the rear, which enables the four runners to remain more in contact with the ice on the banked corners. Both the design and the material used in the manufacture of the steel runners is also strictly specified and the temperature is also controlled. Race runners must be within 4? C of a reference runner prepared by the FIBT.
Bobsleighs have a hand operated brake, basically a harrow fork, which the brakeman only uses at the finish. Considerable effort is required to bring half a ton of speeding bobsleigh to a halt using such a crude device and braking problems are not uncommon.

COMPETITIONS
There are two levels of international bobsleigh competition; World Cup and below that, Europa Cup and America Cup, each of these competitions comprises 8 races per season. The competition season typically runs from November to February and culminates in a World Championships run over four laufs, whereas the World Cup, Europa Cup and America Cup events each have just two laufs. Every fourth year, the World Championships are replaced by the Winter Olympic Games.

WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
Bobsleigh entered the Olympic Winter Games program in 1924 in Chamonix with a single four-man event. In 1928, the event was for sleds with either four or five men. Since 1932, the event is with either two or four men (except in the 1960 Squaw Valley Games). In October 1999, women's bobsleigh was added to the Olympic Winter program and women competed for the first time in the two-women event at Salt Lake City in 2002.
Olympic bobsleigh competition runs over two days, with two runs staged on each day. The competition consists of four runs timed to 0.01 seconds. The final standings are determined by total time over the four runs, with the winner having the lowest aggregate time. If two teams complete the competition in a tie, they are awarded the same place.

Bobsleigh in Sochi
The Russian National Sliding Centre with unique technical specifications will be constructed for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge events during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. It will be the most challenging track ever designed. State-of-the-art ice preparation technology will ensure accurate and constant temperature control along the track.
The Russian National Sliding Center will be built at the Alpika Service Mountain Ski Resort with a finish area in Rzhanaya Polyana. This resort is located at an ideal altitude for utilising Krasnaya Polyana's superior snow cover.
Track events can be watched by 9,000 spectators.
For more information visit the Official Website of Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games.